Palliative Care Doctor
Job Description
Job summary
We are seeking a committed and compassionate Palliative Care Doctor to join our multidisciplinary team at St Davids Hospice.
This role plays a key part in delivering high-quality medical care across our inpatient unit in Llandudno and Hafan Dewi Sant. Working closely with nurses, therapists, and support staff, you will provide expert clinical care and contribute to improving patient and family wellbeing.
Main duties of the job
- Manage admissions, daily reviews and discharges
- Deliver excellent symptom control and medical care
- Join the on-call rota (including weekends)
- Work closely with nursing and therapy teams
- Communicate clearly with patients and families
- Support and mentor junior colleagues
- Contribute to audit and service development
This is an excellent opportunity to work within a supportive and values-driven hospice environment while contributing to high standards of patient-centred care.
About us
St Davids Hospice is local charity committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and person-centred palliative and end-of-life care. We work closely with patients, families, and healthcare partners to provide holistic support that respects individual needs, values, and preferences. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to excellence in care, innovation, and continuous improvement, ensuring dignity and comfort for those we serve. Each year, we impact the lives of over 1,000 people across Conwy, Gwynedd, and Anglesey.
Our services include 24/7 care, Day Therapy Centres offering patient care and bereavement support, and Inpatient Units in Llandudno providing symptom control, respite, and end-of-life care.
People are at the heart of everything we do, with integrity and care shaping our culture.
Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Patient Care and Medical Management:
- Manage the admission, daily review, and discharge of patients in the inpatient units at Llandudno, Holyhead, and Hafan Dewi Sant centres.
- Advise and oversee the medical management of patients in both inpatient and day therapy settings, ensuring the delivery of optimal care.
- Arrange and interpret necessary medical investigations, taking appropriate action based on results.
- Provide telephone advice and medical support as part of the on-call rota, including out-of-hours support during evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays.
Communication and Coordination:
- Effectively communicate with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team (MDT) regarding patient conditions, treatment plans, and care pathways.
- Collaborate with allied health services and external providers to ensure seamless admission, ongoing care, and discharge processes.
- Ensure timely and accurate documentation, including clinical notes, drug charts, discharge letters, and end-of-life care summaries.
Education and Mentorship:
- Provide supervision, education, and mentorship to trainee doctors, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, and Clinical Nurse Specialists, supporting their ongoing development and integration into the care team.
- Participate in the education and training of clinical staff, contributing to the development of the hospices medical and nursing teams.
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Participation:
- Actively participate in weekly MDT meetings to discuss patient care plans and ensure holistic, patient-centred care.
- Implement decisions from MDT meetings in collaboration with the nursing and clinical teams, ensuring best practice in hospice care.
Leadership and Support:
- Work closely with the Senior Sister/Ward Sister and clinical leads to oversee day to-day ward operations, ensuring smooth patient management.
- Support medical colleagues during absences and cover for annual leave or sickness, ensuring continuity of care across hospice services.
Audit, Research, and Continuous Improvement:
- Participate in clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives, and research activities to enhance service delivery and patient outcomes.
- Attend clinical leadership group meetings to contribute to the development and improvement of hospice services and policies.
Compliance and Ethical Practice:
- Ensure adherence to all relevant clinical and legal regulations, including GMC standards, hospice policies, and palliative care best practices.
- Uphold the highest ethical standards in patient care, including safeguarding, consent, confidentiality, and patient advocacy.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Familiar with and upholds the GMC
- Good Clinical practice.
- Experienced enough to be able to work competently independently
- Familiar with the ethos of hospice care
Desirable
- Knowledge of local allied health services in the area.
- Knowledge of allied non clinical services within the hospice.
- Previous hospice or palliative care experience
Skills and attributes
Essential
- Able to work within a multidisciplinary team
- Good communication skills
- Able to demonstrate empathy
- Strong work ethic
- Honesty
- Aware of personal limitations and when to seek advice
Desirable
- Welsh speaking
- External interest in supporting the hospice in raising awareness and
- with fundraising
Qualifications
Essential
- Fully registered with the GMC
- Participate in annual appraisal and 5 yr revalidation
- Up to date DBS check
- Compliant with mandatory training
- To attend education training and courses to maintain and update clinical practice
Desirable
- Diploma in palliative care
- Driving licence
- Personal medical indemnity/insurance cover
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
St David's Hospice
Address
Abbey Road
Llandudno
Gwynedd
LL30 2EN
United Kingdom
